Monday, March 17, 2008

LA was a blast! Not only did I get to hang out with a fun group of seamstresses all weekend, the fabric shopping was incredible. These were my favorite places:

1. Michael Levine(920 Maple Ave)This is a huge store (60,000 square feet according to their website) that literally has everything. We were there for nearly an hour, and I hadn't even covered half the store yet. A few of us returned later, I think we were there another hour but I still didn't cover everything in this place! The quality is good, and the prices are incredible.

I went crazy for knits here. Basic cotton jerseys were $3/yd, I also got some organic cotton/lycra for $4/yd and a metallic-coated grey sweatshirt knit for $5/yd.

2. Fabrics Fabrics (403 E 9th St, I think)No, you haven't died and gone to heaven. You are at Fabrics Fabrics, my friend.

Many of the fabric shops in the Fashion District are teeming with polyester, and it would be easy to walk right by Fabrics Fabrics thinking it's one of those places. Don't make that mistake! This place is filled to the rafters with bolts of unique, quality, natural fiber fabrics, and the prices make it impossible to leave empty-handed. Great sales staff, too.

That was it for the fabric purchases. And I stayed (just) under my $200 budget.

Carrying around all this fabric was made easier with the help of this awesome Envirosax bag that all PR Weekend registrants received.

Next time I'm in LA, I'd like to visit:B Black & Sons - What kind of place closes at 3 pm on a Saturday? B Black & Sons.Mood - Located in a different neighborhood, we just didn't have time to fit it in this time.

There were over 50 PR members in attendance, and it was truly a treat to hang out with such a fun group of like-minded women. There were a lot of comments like, "Isn't that a Vogue dress?" and "Oh, the Burda wrap top!" Big thanks to Deepika for starting it all and "hello" again to everyone who attended! The weekend went by way too fast.

Hi Joyce, PR = Pattern Review, an online sewing community: http://sewing.patternreview.com/, and PR Weekend in LA was an organized event where members could get together to shop for fabric and talk sewing!

Actually I did not haggle, those were the regular prices. I don't think you can bargain at Michael Levine. You could at the other places probably, if you're buying significant yardage.

Oh it's so fun to see everyone's picture - it was a pleasure to meet you! I need to get my pictures posted on my blog, but unfortunately I'm coming down with a cold and feel awful (lack of sleep over the weekend obviously didn't help!).

Christina - finally someone with some pictures of a fabric haul! I was beginning to think that I would have to join one of these to teach you guys how to really shop! ROTFLOL! Seriously though you got some amazing pieces and I'm glad that you had such a good time! Isn't Cidell a trip?!

yes, I will be a shamless copier of whatever you make. I'm letting you know ahead of time:) Your coat you wore all weekend has me obsessed with a spring trenchcoat to try and make. It was great meeting you. gosh, how did I miss Fabrics Fabrics........?:)

It's really great to hear that you had such a fantastic time on your weekend. And what a wonderful thing to get to meet all the other bloggers. I LOOOVE what you bought and those prices are amazing. You truly have a good eye and they are also a great selection of wonderful natural fibres. I can't wait to see them made up.